Growing Great Hope

by Theresa Woodgeard and Lynne Anderson

The Healing Power of Plants Growing confidence and connectedness through gardening

DIGGING IN THE DIRT has become wildly popular since March. In fact, market research firm Nielson Scarborough reports that nearly half of all U.S. homeowners gardened in the last 12 months.

Horticulture as therapy Rachel Cochran, co-founder of Trellis Horticultural Therapy Alliance, explains why. “Planting and cultivating flowers and vegetables can give us a sense that we have some control,” she said. “Gardening can promote calmness, stimulate our senses and improve our mood. It’s an outdoor, healthy form of exercise that can connect us with others in our community, helping us feel less isolated.”

With a master’s degree in soil science, Cochran co-founded Trellis with Wendy Bataglia in 2017. The Decatur-based non-profit brings garden therapy programs to people living with physical, mental and cognitive health challenges.

Last year, Trellis partnered with Callanwolde Fine Arts Center to establish the Ability Garden from an existing greenhouse and new raised-bed garden. The wheelchair accessible space allows Trellis to provide supported garden therapy programs for youth and adults living with special needs and disabilities.

“Trellis’s goal for these programs is to improve quality of life for those we serve by providing purpose, fostering independence and creating community,” said Cochran.

Pete Anziano, who sustained a spinal cord injury, agrees. “One of the things that happens after a life-changing accident is that you lose contact with many of the people who used to be in your comfort circle,” he said. “This is one of the only public gardens I know of where I’m able to put my hands in the dirt alongside others in my community.”

The garden has helped the students of Jamie Littman, a middle school special education teacher, explore nature. “They enjoy planting bulbs, making prism art, using plant material, gardening and creating bird seed art. The students felt respected and included.”

Program costs are covered by The Frank Barham Scholarship Fund, according to Brooke Adams, Co-arts Director at Callanwolde. “We worked and consulted with Trellis on several different projects,” said Adams. “Since the greenhouse was already wheelchair accessible, we thought it would make a great place for Trellis’s programs. Now we’re in the process of completing the outdoor garden.”

Cochran says having a permanent home for the program offers “an incredible garden space that allows people living with different sets of challenges, including those using wheelchairs, to experience the restorative benefits of working with plants.”

Learn more about scholarships and seasonal visits at trellishta.org.

Flowers everywhere Master gardener Catherine Anderson also finds that flowers are healers of the heart and soul. Her floral business is an extension of that, named Les Fleurs Partout, French for “flowers everywhere.” Anderson’s own garden abounds with evergreens and seasonal flowers, many of which make their way into her arrangements.

The conditions of the pandemic have brought new meaning to her work as Anderson sees the response to both those who give and those who receive the arrangements. She finds being a part of that process gratifying.

“I got to do flowers for someone who was turning 102,” she said. “She couldn’t have a birthday party, and so her family sent her flowers. And the love, the care and the messages that people put into them was so amazing.”

Anderson takes care with each arrangement to hear what the person hopes to express, and what will bring joy to the recipient. Whether it’s a rose, a sprig of lavender, or hydrangea, Anderson gives each request special consideration, keeping her creations far from predictable.

People are also surrounding themselves with flowers without an event as the trigger. Anderson said clients have requested delivery subscriptions where flowers arrive weekly or monthly to their homes. “The beauty of the earth coming forth” in flowers is more important than ever to see, she said. It can be an antidote to the loss experienced by the pandemic.

She recounts taking a visitor through her garden, seeing the variegated leaves of hostas, hydrangeas, azaleas, vibernum, camellias, a magnolia tree and dozens more. Anderson said there’s still color, from beauty berry’s tiny purple balls to exuberant zinnias and steadfast dahlias. She notices the small details, like an unfolding dahlia with a soft touch of pink that would pair well with nearby zinnias.

While Catherine has found joy in her garden and in making arrangements for others, she too has noticed an uptick in gardening interest. “There’s a yearning for connectedness,” she said. “I hope people start growing more flowers for themselves. This has been a hard time. And just being outside is an encouragement.”

Find more at lesfleursdecatur.com.

by Theresa Woodgeard

Finding Your Way to Financial Security

COPING WITH THE CONSEQUENCES of COVID-19 is now woven into the fabric of nearly every aspect of our daily lives. The healthcare crisis has had an economic impact, financial insecurity can weigh particularly heavy on our minds. We asked financial planner and wealth strategist Tim Martin for the steps that can be taken to improve financial health.

Martin owns Tim Martin Wealth Strategies and is a financial planner with Eagle Strategies, LLC.

How has COVID-19 affected people’s money management? This has been a very interesting year with some unexpected bright spots. One of the things we’ve noticed is that a lot of people are examining their finances. Some are taking a fresh look at their financial picture for the first time in a long while, and some are just getting around to creating a financial plan. Taking a detailed look at the whole picture helps people feel in control.

The personal savings rate is also higher than it’s been in a long time.

The U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis reports that “People are working from home and staying at home, banking money they might have spent on transportation, dining, entertainment, vacations and gym memberships.”

What can be done to improve someone’s financial picture? This is a great time to give your budget a makeover. Make sure you understand exactly what is coming in and going out. Take an inventory of all your financial data including your mortgage and credit card rates, savings and retirement plans and student loans.

One of the top ways to save money right now is to take advantage of the low interest rates on loans. The lower rate also may enable you to pay your loan off quicker.

How can someone navigate all the options effectively? Consider partnering with a professional. We get to know clients by asking questions about their individual situation and your goals.

Not everyone has the same financial objectives and risk tolerance, so this is a really important step. Do you want to buy a home, save for college or establish a retirement account? That information helps us customize your financial map and along the way make sure it still fits your needs. MORE TIPS FOR STAYING FINANCIALLY FIT 1. Envision your ideal retirement. Aim to save 10% or more of your income for retirement.

2. Review and update beneficiary designation for your retirement accounts, life insurance policies and annuities. 3. Set aside three to six months of living expenses in a cash account for emergencies. 4. Establish or review your will, power of attorney and healthcare directives.

5. Examine your credit report for accuracy and explore ways to improve your credit. 6. Consider making an IRA contribution before the annual deadline.

Details can be found at TimMartinWeatlth.com.

Tim Martin Wealth Strategies is not owned or operated by Eagle Strategies LLC or its affiliates.

Neither Tim Martin Wealth Strategies nor Eagle Strategies LLC, provides tax, legal, or accounting advice. Please consult your own tax, legal, or accounting professional before making any decisions.